Malaysian immigration officers detain 17 illegal immigrants during a Pudu raid, uncovering a suspected prostitution ring run by an Indonesian couple.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) detained 17 illegal immigrants, including an Indonesian couple suspected of facilitating prostitution, during Op Gegar at the Fraser Business Park area in Pudu early yesterday morning.
In a Facebook post, JIM said the operation, conducted at two entertainment outlets beginning at 4 am, involved inspections of 203 individuals comprising both Malaysians and foreign nationals.
The department said 17 foreign nationals, comprising 10 men and seven women from Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, were arrested for suspected offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Immigration Regulations 1963.
“An examination of a mobile phone belonging to one of the detained undocumented migrants uncovered conversations, transaction records, and a catalogue believed to have been used to offer women for sexual services to clients,” it said.
According to JIM, the operation was launched following public complaints and two weeks of intelligence gathering. It involved 40 immigration officers, assisted by 10 officers from several enforcement agencies.
During the operation, the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) also seized various brands of alcoholic beverages worth RM11,420.31, with unpaid duties estimated at RM26,380.31.
JIM said all 17 foreign nationals were detained under Section 51(5)(b) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 and have been placed at the Putrajaya Immigration Detention Depot pending further investigation and action.
